Mitch McConnell recently went on television and stated plainly that if Republicans keep control of Congress, they will use the $2 trillion cost of their tax handout to the wealthy as an excuse to slash Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

There is only one thing that can prevent McConnell’s plan from becoming a reality, and that is Democratic control of the House of Representatives. Even though Paul Ryan won’t be there, with his dream of slashing Medicaid hatched around a keg of beer in his college days, any Republican Speaker of the House will make it his personal mission to cut those three programs. And Bruce Poliquin would follow along, all the while denying he did any such thing.

I hope others will join me in voting for Jared Golden. He will protect Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. It’s that simple.

Renee Cote, Auburn